It’s a new week, so it’s time to set your fantasy starting lineups. Below is a list of 3 or 4 guys at each position that are "starts", and 3 or 4 guys you should keep on the couch this week. This list will exclude the every-week lineup starters, like Patrick Mahomes, CMC, Darren Wallen, etc. So, let’s get into it.
"STARTS" OF THE WEEK: QB
Aaron Rodgers vs Lions
If you are skeptical after his poor performance in week 1, I understand but hear me out. The Packers still have a lot of talent and are going up against the Detroit Lions who gave up the most points in week 1 (41 points). Plus, since 2019 Aaron Rodgers stats in a game after a loss is:
W-L 6-0
Comp Pct 67.9
Pass YPG 252.2
Pass TD-INT 16-0
Passer Rating 119.9
Monday Night + Home Opener + Game after a loss = Big Game for the reigning MVP.
Tom Brady vs Falcons
The dude just doesn’t age. Even at 44, he is still a top fantasy QB. He finished as QB7 after week 1. Now he gets to play against the Falcons, who allowed the QB5 in week 1. There is no shortage of weapons in Tampa Bay, so 300+ yards and a TD or 2 should be easy for Tom to achieve this week.
Jalen Hurts vs the 49ers
You know I just mentioned QB5...That was Jalen Hurts. Hurts went for 264 yards and 3TDs through the air and added 62 yards on the ground. Now the 49ers on paper might appear like a difficult matchup, but they did allow the Lions to come back within striking distance after leading 41-17. That all happened after they lost Jason Verrett to an ACL injury. With some questions in the 49ers secondary and Hurts rushing ability, it is a no-brainer to keep him in the starting lineup.
Justin Herbert vs Cowboys
The young gunslinger had a slow start in week 1 only putting up 13.38 points (QB26). This week he takes on the Cowboys in a game that should be a shootout. Vegas currently has this game sitting at 55.5 points Over/Under. With all the points expected in the game, look for Herbert to bounce back in a big way in week 2.
"SITS" OF THE WEEK: QB
Matt Ryan @ Buccaneers
Matt Ryan struggled in week 1. He only put up 7.36 points vs the Eagles, less than a point more than Justin Fields, who only played a handful of snaps. It doesn’t get easier for Ryan as he takes on the Buccaneers. Early signs point to a long season for Matt Ryan and the Falcons.
Daniel Jones @ Football Team
Daniel Jones did put up over 20 fantasy points in week 1. He is ranked as QB13. However, if you watched the game you realized the offensive line struggled against the Broncos. It doesn’t get any easier this week against the Football Team. WFT was Top 3 against QBs for fantasy in 2020 (Only allowing 15.7 points per game) and they picked up where they left off only allowing 13.4 in week 1. It’s safe to say you're benching Danny Dimes this week.
Derrick Carr @ Steelers
Derrick Carr had a great game and was part of the game of the week in week 1. He finished as QB10 and threw for over 400 yards, seeming like a guy trending upwards. But, too bad he runs in the steel curtain this week (Steelers DST is ranked #3). Look for some other streaming options over Derrick Carr.
Kirk Cousins @ Cardinals
Kirk Cousins didn't hit this list for his play last week. He did finish as QB12 in week 1 and led a comeback vs the Cincinnati Bengals to get the game to OT. He is a “sit” this week based on the matchup. His O-Line was dominated by Cincy and now has the task of going up against reigning AFC Defensive Player of the week Chandler Jones, who had 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. It will be a tough day for Captain Kirk and the Vikings to move the ball.
"STARTS" OF THE WEEK: RB
Najee Harris vs Raiders
It’s been discussed all week how Najee Harris was the only RB to play 100% of snaps in week 1. What’s not being discussed is this week he gets to play Raiders, who allowed the most rushing yards in week 1 (189 yards). Look for Najee to have a big game and take advantage of all those opportunities.
Damien Harris vs Jets
What? We’re saying start a Patriots RB? I know it sounds crazy, but after week 1 Harris showed he has a clear role in the offense. He carried the rock 23 times while averaging over 4 yards per carry week 1 vs the Dolphins and he added 2 receptions. Look for his high volume to continue as they take on the Jets.
Aaron Jones vs Lions
Like the rest of the Packers, Aaron Jones struggled vs the Saints. Luckily, this week he gets the Detroit Lions, a team he has had a lot of success against. Aaron Jones has averaged 112 rushing yards over his last 3 matchups vs the Lions, including his huge game last year. Ironically, it was also week 2 and the Packers home opener, where he carried the ball 18 times for 168 yards with 2 TDs and caught 4 passes for 68 yards and a TD. That's 43.6 fantasy points (Half-PPR). He might not have that many this week, but look for him to have a big game.
D'andre Swift/Jamaal Williams @ Packers
In that same matchup, the running backs on the other side, Jamaal Williams and D'andre Swift are both ”Starts'' this week. For years, the Packers achilles heel has been stopping the run. Look for both backs to be heavily utilized. Last week, both players had 8 receptions, combined for 20 carries (11 Swift - 9 Williams), and both found the endzone.
Fun Fact: Jamaal Williams is just 35 carries away from taking the lead for the most carries in NFL History without a fumble.
"SITS" OF THE WEEK: RB
Mike Davis @ Buccaneers
The Falcon's offense didn’t look good against the Eagles last week. It doesn’t get easier this week with them traveling to Tampa Bay to take on the Bucs. The Bucs have had 10 days rest and are coming off a game where they held Zeke to 33 yards, and the entire Cowboys rushing offense to 60 yards. Looking like another rough day for Mike Davis and the Falcons offense.
Josh Jacobs @ Steelers
If you just look at points from last week and see Josh Jacobs 16.5 points (Half-PPR) you probably thought he was dominant. However, if you dig deeper you realize he only had 10 carries for 34 yards. He was saved by 2 short TDs. This week he goes against the Steelers, a top 6 defense against RBs in 2020, that's if he even plays this week considering he is dealing with a toe injury.
Ronald Jones vs Falcons
I understand Bruce Arians came out this week and said Ronald Jones was no longer in the dog house and will start in week 2, but can you trust him? Jones finished week 1 with negative points after fumbling early in the game and not seeing the field again. If he does get an opportunity to play this week, you know it’s a super short leash. I'm not willing to risk it until I see RoJo show he can be the lead guy, even if it is a plus matchup.
"STARTS" OF THE WEEK: WR
Antonio Brown vs Falcons
Pretty much all the Tampa Bay WRs are startable this week against Atlanta, but I’ll go with Brown for this exercise. After week one, Brown showed he still had talent and could still put up points hauling in 5 catches for 121 yards and a TD. Don’t forget Brady wanted AB in New England and he got him. Brady then wanted him in Tampa and he got him. It's his guy, so in a “plus” matchup, like this week, he should be in your starting lineup.
Devonta Smith vs 49ers
I’m not going to lie, I didn't see Smith exploding on the scene in week 1, with 8 targets, 6 catches, 75 yards and 1 TD. It was an impressive rookie debut. Look for it to continue this week, as San Fran is dealing with injuries in the secondary. I would expect him to be a solid WR2.
Jakobi Myers @ Jets
Nelson Agholor had the TD, but Myers still led the team in targets with 9. He seems to have quickly developed a repertoire with rookie Mac Jones. Look for that to continue this week against division rival New York Jets. I like Myers if you are in need of a flex.
"SITS" OF THE WEEK: WR
Corey Davis vs Patriots
Corey Davis was a pleasant surprise in week 1. He finished as WR5 and showed he is the #1 option in NY, with 7 targets. Yet, he finds himself on the list because this week he faces the New England Patriots, who are a top 6 defense against WRs in 2020 and are on pace to do that again in 2021. Corey Davis is a perfect example of the phrase, “Don’t chase fantasy points”.
Brandon Ayiuk @ Eagles
Ayiuk has fallen hard. He was drafted on average as WR23 this year. He has a disappointing week 1 with a goose egg. Coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t have a voice of confidence when asked about Ayiuk on Wednesday, saying “... But yeah, if he wants to be out there every single play, he's got to be a lot better than the guy behind him.`` Ayiuk is a very talented player, but he is downgraded to the couch until he proves otherwise.
Robbie Anderson vs Saints
Robbie Anderson had a TD to save his fantasy day in week 1, but only saw 3 targets, and his only reception went for a TD. Now 2021 is a new year, but in 2020, Robbie Andersen struggled against the Saints. He averaged 7.5 points over the 2 games in 2020. The Saints were the surprise team in week 1, so proceed with caution playing Robbie Anderson this week.
"STARTS" OF THE WEEK: TE
Noah Fant vs Jacksonville
Noah Fant was tied for most receptions on the Broncos in Week 1. The guy he was tied with is now out for 4-6 weeks. He won't get all of Jeudy’s targets while he is out but will be a top option for Teddy Bridgewater. This week he gets to play the Jacksonville Jaguars and should be inside the top 10 TEs for a second week in a row.
Logan Thomas vs Giants
Taylor Heinicke is the starter now, so let's look back at the last game he started, which was Wildcard Weekend vs the Buccaneers in 2020. Logan Thomas was targeted 9 times in that game. With Curtis Samuel still on IR, look for the young QB to target Thomas often.
Dalton Schultz @ Chargers
Dalton is on the list, he isn’t a must-start, more of a sleeper, but hear me out though. Dalton led the Dallas TEs in targets with 6. Now that the Cowboys are missing out on Michael Gallup and the TE market is so hard to find anyone after the big 5, why not take a shot at a TE on a high-powered offense in a good matchup.
"SITS" OF THE WEEK: TE
Mike Gesicki vs Bills
Mike Gesicki disappointed in week 1 by putting up a Big ole 0. Now, he gets to play the Buffalo Bills, who held the Pittsburgh TEs to 4.3 points in week 1. I have hope for Mike Gesicki to turn it around this season, but I am not taking a chance on him this week.
Kyle Pitts @ Buccaneers
Kyle hauled in 4 catches for 31 yards in his rookie debut. Also, he was tied for the team lead in targets with 8. He shows promise and will be hard to bench as a top draft pick in week 2. He just has a negative match-up against the Buccaneers, so points will be tough to come by. If you can, avoid Kyle Pitts this week.
Juwan Johnson @ Panthers
Juwan Johnson, a top waiver add this week for many, should stay on your bench this week. He had a big week, thanks to 2 TDs on 3 catches, which is very hard to recreate in consecutive weeks. Especially, when teammate and fellow TE Adam Trautman led the Saints in targets in week 1.
Good luck this week!! Be sure to follow the Couch GMs on Twitter for the latest news on who is in and who is out this week. Listen to this week's podcast for even more insight on who to start and who to sit. Our DMs are always open for any fantasy advice you may need to win your matchup.
Cover photo: USA-TODAY
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